Geography & people
Israel and the Palestinian Territories (the West Bank, Gaza Strip, and East Jerusalem) are located in the Middle East on or near the eastern shores of the Mediterranean Sea. The West Bank sits to the east of Israel, while the Gaza Strip sits to the southwest, bordering Egypt.
- Population: 4,218,800
- Life Expectancy: 73 years
- Access to Safe Water: 81%
- School Enrollment: 78%
- Land Mass: 8,522 sq. mi.
- Literacy Rate: 95%
- Under Age 5 Mortality Rate: 23/1000
- Average Annual Income (GNI): 25,740
Fast facts
- 38 percent of the population is below the poverty line, and the unemployment rate is 46 percent
- In especially vulnerable areas in the West Bank, children experience harassment and violence from soldiers and settlers
- Because of demolitions, children also suffer from lack of adequate education facilities
- Many children must often endure long commutes to school due to the ongoing construction of bypass roads
- Home demolitions and evictions by Israeli authorities continue. Israeli checkpoints, road blocks, and the separation wall impede and restrict movement within the Palestinian territory
Stories & Blogs
Business is now booming for Baisma
Learning difficulty no barrier to success with World Vision Jerusalem West Bank Gaza
Tackling youth unemployment in Jerusalem, West Bank & Gaza
Partnering to provide early childhood education
Livelihoods restored in Gaza
Community health workers saving lives
World Vision Gaza statement
Our achievements in Jerusalem, West Bank and Gaza
With support from our partners, we have helped children and their families live free from the fear of hunger, illness and lack of opportunities. Highlights include:
Economic growth
- Young people participated in vocational education and an internship program we created to help them gain skills and experience in the labor market for a successful future
Health
- To improve maternal and child health, community health workers provided counseling to 568 pregnant women on prenatal care and childhood health and nutrition
- Community Action Groups have been formed with representatives from the Ministry of Health and faith-based organisations; the groups worked together to identify health needs in their communities and identify solutions
Child protection
- 3,500 children joined a student council that helped raise awareness in their schools on child protection issues including school violence and absence from school
- A manual was created for school counselors, social workers, and teachers so they could teach children and youth about online risks to their safety and be better protected
Education
- Language and maths teachers participated in workshops to help them update their teaching skills and improve education for primary school students
Gaza Crisis Update
According to UNICEF the conflict killed over 500 children and left more than 3,000 children injured with an estimated 1,000 children sustaining permanent disabilities and over 1,500 orphaned. UNICEF also estimates that at least 350,000 children in Gaza are still in need of psychosocial support. At the height of the hostilities over 500,000 Palestinians were displaced.
We pray for those affected by the Gaza Conflict
The world is a terrifying place right now, especially for children in countries being ripped apart by war. But in times of fear, we know we can look to God for hope.
Thank you for taking time to come and pray with us for those who have been impacted by the conflict in Gaza. Together we pray for all the children and their families who are suffering. We pray for the leaders of both sides of the divide who have the power to make a difference for good. We pray for World Vision staff who are working in Gaza, helping those most in need.